1. What
are SIR-Spheres microspheres?
2. What
happens to the SIR-Spheres microspheres once they
are inside the liver?
3. How
soon after the procedure can I go home?
4. Are
there any special precautions that family members
will need to take as a result of the internal
radiation delivered by SIR-Spheres
microspheres?
5. Will
my insurance cover this procedure?
6. How
can I find treatment centers in my area?
1. What are
SIR-Spheres microspheres?
SIR-Spheres microspheres are tiny polymer beads
that are loaded with yttrium-90, a radioisotope
that emits pure beta radiation. Yttrium-90 has a
"half life" of about 2 ½ days, that is, every 2 ½
days the level of radiation falls by one half. The
radiation from yttrium-90 is largely confined to a
tissue depth of 2 - 3 mm. After injection into the
artery supplying blood to the tumors, the spheres
are trapped in the tumor's vascular bed, where
they destroy the tumor cells by delivering the
beta radiation. The radiation is targeted and
contained within the patient's body and after 14
days the majority of the radiation effect has
occurred. SIR-Spheres microspheres are considered
a regional treatment as the radiation is directed
to the liver and does not affect other organs in
the body.
2. What happens to the SIR-Spheres
microspheres once they are inside the
liver?
Liver
tumor being treated with SIR-Spheres
microspheres
Upon injection into the tumors, SIR-Spheres
microspheres continuously deliver radiation for
approximately 14 days. The SIR-Spheres
microspheres will remain trapped in the liver and
as the spheres are very tiny (about one third the
diameter of a strand of hair) and are
biocompatible they can remain in the liver without
any danger to the patient.
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3. How soon after the procedure can I go
home?
Usually, patients treated with SIR-Spheres
microspheres can go home the same day of treatment
and resume normal activity. However, your doctor
might keep you in hospital for observations to
ensure that you do not develop any complications
resulting from the treatment with SIR-Spheres
microspheres. Your doctor will decide what is best
for you.
4. Are there any special precautions that
family members will need to take as a result of
the internal radiation delivered by SIR-Spheres
microspheres?
The patient should observe the following
recommended precautions after receiving treatment
with SIR-Spheres microspheres:
a) no travel on public transport, including air
travel, lasting more than 2 hours for 1 week
b)
avoid crowded public places for 1 week
c) do
not sleep in the same bed as your partner for 1
week
d) no contact with children or pregnant
women for 1 week
e) adult visitors may approach
the patient for periods of a few minutes at a
time, but for prolonged periods they should stay
more than 2 meters (6 feet) away for 1 week
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5. Will my insurance cover this
procedure?
Most insurance companies generally cover the
cost of SIR-Spheres microspheres. Under the terms
of the 2003 Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement
and Modernization Act, Medicare reimburses
hospitals for the full cost of outpatient
treatment with SIR-Spheres microspheres. Sirtex
reimbursement specialists are available to assist
you and your hospital with any reimbursement
coverage issues.
6. How can I find treatment centers in my area?
Locate a Treatment Center near you by visiting
the Treatment
Centers section.
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